Our History – Kirby’s Steakhouse

The Kirby’s Steakhouse Legacy

Kirby’s Charcoal Steakhouse, owned and operated by B.J. Kirby, became Dallas’ first specialty steakhouse in 1954. In 1987, after 33 successful years at the original Greenville Avenue location, B.J. decided to retire and close the restaurant.

People in Dallas remembered Kirby’s as the place to go for an anniversary, a first date, or any special occasion. Others came in every week and B.J. always welcomed them with a smile or a joke.

In the fall of 1993 at a neighborhood gathering, the dream of bringing Kirby’s back to Dallas was born. The Ingram family soon purchased the name and recipes from their next-door neighbor, B.J. Kirby. During the spring of 1995, the Ingrams and their partners, the Houghs, reopened Kirby’s on Lower Greenville Avenue in Dallas.

Since reopening, Kirby’s has successfully grown from one restaurant to four: Kirby’s Southlake (DFW Airport North), Kirby’s The Woodlands (north of Houston), Kirby’s San Antonio, and Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse in the Bricktown area of downtown Oklahoma City.

“B.J. looked forward to Kirby’s return to Dallas,” said Mrs. Kirby. “While he passed away shortly before the reopening, I know he wished for its success.” Kirby’s is owned and operated by James Ingram and Monte Hough, and they have dedicated their restaurants to the memory of their friend B.J. Kirby.